Chlorphenesin

What is it?

A broad-spectrum preservative with additional antimicrobial and anti-irritant claims, often used alongside other preservative systems such as phenoxyethanol.

What does it do?

According to PubMed, a multicenter Korean study patch-testing 584 patients with suspected cosmetic contact dermatitis found chlorphenesin had one of the highest irritancy rates among tested preservatives, concluding that the optimum formulation concentration to avoid skin reactions is less than 0.5% (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1346-8138.2012.01551.x). A separate comparative study of cosmetic preservatives found chlorphenesin produced similar objective (patch-test) irritation to parabens and phenoxyethanol, but higher subjective (sensory, stinging/burning) irritation than other tested preservatives, and that combining it with phenoxyethanol notably increased sensory irritation (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2007.01001.x).

Check this ingredient with another — compatibility notes for every pair

See how this fits your skin — try SKYNN AI, free

Sources

Important disclaimer

This page provides general skincare information and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Ingredient interactions and evidence summaries reflect published, cited sources — not a personal assessment of your skin. For medical skin conditions, rashes, pregnancy/lactation questions or persistent concerns, please consult a licensed dermatologist or HPCSA-registered practitioner.